Pizza Express serves up shares

Pizza Express is launching an employee share scheme to encourage loyalty and
promote the development of a career path within the firm.

The scheme will allow staff to contribute part of their pre-tax salary to
company shares, which Pizza Express will match over a period of three or five
years.

Nick Taylor, HR director at the restaurant chain, said the scheme would
strengthen its benefits package that already includes sabbaticals, flexible
working, paternity leave and additional maternity leave. "It will mean a
significant financial hit for the company because we’ve got to buy up all the
shares. But it’s a good incentive for staff and fulfils our criteria because it
encourages them to stay with us," he said.

Pizza Express, which aims to open 40 new outlets this year, is offering the
scheme to all 7,000 staff around the country.